Kakegawa, August 6 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer visited the children of Nemunoki Gakuen, founded in 1968 by renowned entertainer and philanthropist Ms. Mariko Miyagi.

Nemunoki Gakuen is one of Japan’s top schools and living communities for physically and mentally impaired youth.

Focusing on education through art, Ms. Miyagi’s students record music albums, produce award-winning paintings and write books of poetry and prose.

After listening to the Nemunoki Choir’s rendition of “Amazing Grace” and a few American and Japanese songs, Ambassador Schieffer toured the school’s museum and chatted with the exhibition’s artists.

Ambassador Schieffer then joined the students for lunch where he thanked Ms. Miyagi and the students for their hospitality and admired the atmosphere of love that fills the Nemunoki Gakuen.

Ambassador Schieffer commented that seeing the “... humanity and the joy that is in the hearts of the students and the teachers as well,” particularly touched him.